Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes longitudinally extending elements such as roof side rail outer and inner members, a reinforcement member and a gusset that are part of a side impact energy management system for vehicles that include a sunroof. A laterally extending cross member is connected to the roof side rail members, and the roof side rail members are connected to an upper portion of an approximately vertical B-pillar. The cross-member is connected to the roof side rail members approximately perpendicular to the B-pillar, but longitudinally offset from the B-pillar. The reinforcement member extends between the roof side rail members to the cross-member.

Abstract: Radio noise in an automotive vehicle is suppressed by grounding the hood of the automotive vehicle with a conductive washer. The conductive washer is concave and is disposed around a rivet used to pivot a hood hinge component to a body hinge component. When the rivet is set, the hinge components compress the washer so as to permanently load the washer to thereby ensure continuous grounding of the hood to the body. Preferably, the rivet is coated with a dry lubricant, such as TEFLON.RTM., which does not flow away from the rivet to interfere with electrical contact between the washer and hinge components.

Abstract: A gripping device which is attachable to a hood prop rod of an automobile for isolating a user's hand from the heat of a hot prop rod. The gripping device includes a heat-insulating body adapted to be snapped on the hood prop rod. The heat-insulating body may have a longitudinal bore therethrough and a longitudinal slit extending the length of the body and extending into the body to join the longitudinal bore, the longitudinal bore being present for insertion of the prop rod and being sized for interference fit with the prop rod. The longitudinal slit may be defined by two longitudinal tapered leading edges.